KPLU Local News
(2009-09-16)
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OLYMPIA, WA
(N3) -
The Obama Administration will not make radical changes to a 2008 Bush-era plan for endangered Northwest salmon. That news comes out of a legal brief submitted to a federal judge in Portland. KPLU's Tom Banse reports on the mixed reviews it's getting.
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The strongest reactions come from environmental groups. They were hoping the new administration would sacrifice some power production at federal dams to improve river flows for migrating salmon. The Sierra Club's Bill Arthur says salmon advocates are left "sad and frustrated." Their hopes now turn to a judicial review.
Bill Arthur: "There's still an opportunity to get a fresh start. It would've been nice to have the fresh start being initiated by the Administration rather than having to be compelled by the court."
The Obama Administration says it will launch of new study of breaching dams on the lower Snake River. But officials made it clear that's an option of last resort. Business groups express satisfaction that river navigation and low-cost hydropower are maintained under the new guard in the other Washington. I'm Tom Banse in Olympia. © Copyright 2012, N3
